corrosive

adjective

cor·ro·sive kə-ˈrō-siv

-ziv

Synonyms of corrosive next

: tending or having the power to corrode

corrosive acids

corrosive action

the corrosive effects of alcoholism

: bitingly sarcastic

corrosive satire

corrosive noun

corrosively adverb

corrosiveness noun

Example Sentences

She argues that racism is dangerous and corrosive to society. a corrosive satire on the fashion industry and its movers and shakers

Recent Examples on the Web Freshwater rods can also be used in saltwater, although the components are often not as rugged and prone to the corrosive effects of salt. —

Travis Smola, Field & Stream, 9 May 2023 The jobs performed by kids allegedly included cleaning dangerous powered equipment with corrosive cleaners during overnight shifts, and cleaning floors where animals are slaughtered. —

Kate Gibson, CBS News, 11 Nov. 2022 Based on the Belgian series Clan, Sisters unspools an intricate and grim mystery about the power of family and the corrosive allure of revenge. —

Kristen Baldwin, EW.com, 19 Aug. 2022 On the latest Real Housewives Ultimate Girls Trip, a Peacock spinoff that brings together ‘wives from different Housewives shows, the cast discussed how corrosive the show can be to their relationships. —

Louis Staples, Rolling Stone, 7 May 2023 Sociologists have long known that growing up surrounded by poverty is corrosive for a child’s life chances. —

Susan Pinker, wsj.com, 27 Apr. 2023 His father, Irfan, ran a small tannery business, where young Volkan would trail behind him, taking notes on all the recipes and processes, nostrils filled with the pungent smell of corrosive chemicals and decaying flesh. —

Isabel Slone, Harper's BAZAAR, 7 Apr. 2023 The truck-tractor hauling a box trailer, carrying the highly corrosive liquid form of nitric acid, rolled over Tuesday evening on Interstate 10 in Tucson, the state's third-largest city. —

CBS News, 15 Feb. 2023 The Tucson Fire Department tweeted that the hazardous material was nitric acid, a highly corrosive material that can irritate one's skin, eyes and mucous membrane if exposed, according to the Centers for Disease Control. —

Perry Vandell, The Arizona Republic, 14 Feb. 2023 See More

These examples are programmatically compiled from various online sources to illustrate current usage of the word 'corrosive.' Any opinions expressed in the examples do not represent those of Merriam-Webster or its editors. Send us feedback about these examples.

Word History

Etymology

Middle English corrosif, borrowed from Anglo-French & Medieval Latin; Anglo-French, borrowed from Medieval Latin corrōsīvus, from Latin corrōsus, past participle of corrōdere "to gnaw, corrode" + -īvus -ive

First Known Use

14th century, in the meaning defined at sense 1

Time Traveler

The first known use of corrosive was in the 14th century

See more words from the same century